Chapter 215 - I just went away for a couple of days, and you won’t even look at me.

|Innaya|

I raised my head as my body was held by Eshan, tightly, limiting my movements. I had to get those photos before those policemen saw them. The face on them was mine; I could not let them see it. It would only add to my humiliation.

Meeting Eshan's calm eyes, I wondered why he did not get my point. He saw through their schemes, he took actions, but then why did not he understand such an important thing? He would have to face the criticism and humiliation of the world. He would be ashamed before those men. How could he not take action of destroying them? 

Moisture pooled in my eyes. Feeling helpless, I brought my hands in-between us to push him. Before those men saw those photos, I had to destroy them.

"Shh..." Eshan wiped my face. 

"Those photos... destroy, I need to destroy it..." I stammered. The shock of other people seeing those photos was enough to lose my bearings. So much had transpired in the last hour, that I could feel myself being emotionally drained.

"Relax. They need those photos. We can't destroy evidence," Eshan said calmly. His eyes held the storm, but there was confidence in his body language. He was certain that nothing would go wrong.

Evidence? Oh, he was right. Those photos were evidence, but still, I did not want people to see it. I panicked and my actions became frantic.

"No… They…" I shook my head rapidly.

Eshan cupped my head firmly. "It's okay. They all are female officers."

"I've asked for female officers. Don't worry, everything's gonna be fine," he repeated looking earnestly in my eyes. "Bear it for a little longer..." 

"The hell. You can't arrest us. We haven't done anything," Ayesha's mother yelled as she protested. 

Coming back to the present with her voice, I nodded at Eshan. We had more pressing matters in hand. I turned around giving him a reassuring look. Though I was nervous, I wanted to see them receiving their punishment.

They would know what it meant to play with a woman's character. There were five female officers currently in our living room surrounding Ayesha and her mother. They held handcuffs before them. Ayesha's mother was creating a scene as she refused to get handcuffed.

"Ma'am, you've all the evidence. Please make sure that they get the punishment," Eshan said as he crossed his arms across his chest.

A senior looking female officer nodded. "Yes, Mr. Singhaniya. Thank you for your co-operation."

"Take them away," she ordered her subordinates. 

All the photos from the floor, and in Ayesha's mother's possession, were picked up. Another female officer was placing them in the evidence bag. My heart trembled by looking at those photos. I knew they were photoshopped. I knew it was all nothing but the conspiracy, yet I could not stop myself from shuddering. 

Eshan squeezed my shoulder when he saw me looking at those photos. He nodded his head in negative. I looked away. 

I then noticed the camera in another female officer's hand. They had come prepared. Where were they? Were they in the house? But, how?

How did they know what would happen? How did Eshan know? When had he called them over? Have they been watching everything all along? Watching us all along?

Ayesha's mother was seething in anger. Her face had gone red and she looked so vicious. I felt afraid of looking at her appearance. She reminded me so much of my father. Even after standing at so much distance, I could feel her fury. 

"If we're arrested, the photos would be released. Everyone will know what kind of wife you have here. What would you prefer?" Ayesha's mother threatened. 

Suddenly, fear gripped me. What if she did what she said? We knew the truth, but the world would believe what they would see. No one would bother to check the reality. I was conflicted. I wanted them to go to jail, but I did not want those photos to go out in public.

"Oh, is that so? Then what about these photos? Would you prefer them to go on the internet?" 

My eyes snapped behind to the stairs at that familiar voice. Before I could react, Fortune had jumped in, running at the full pace to the owner of the voice. He happily barked. The person on the stair rubbed Fortune's head lovingly. 

He had returned.

He was finally back.

"What kind of husband are you? Another man emerges from your bedroom, and you still protect such disgusting woman," Ayesha said as she struggled to get out of the handcuffs.

My advancing steps halted as her words stabbed in my heart. I had called him brother, but now they were tarnishing the purity of such a sacred relationship. 

How could I even face him?

Somewhere, his reputation had also been spoiled because of me. I lowered my head in shame, and a couple of tears fell. 

I was happy for his return. At the same time, I was ashamed to face him. 

Who would want their loved ones to witness them in such a humiliating situation?

"You need to be more attentive Miss. Patel. Did you not hear what I just said? I don't mind repeating though. Take a look at this before you sprout any more nonsense. You see, I've just returned. I haven't greeted my sister yet, and I've to clean this garbage. How troublesome!" Arjun scoffed.

I heard loud gasps coming from behind me. What was it that he brought?

"Mom."

"You vile man! How dare you! I'll file a complaint against you. Y-you just wait."

Suddenly, both the mother and daughter were yelling, cursing, threatening. Ignoring the commotion he caused, he walked down the staircase. Was he inside the house all the time? When did he return? I could not understand what was happening anymore.

A pair of legs clad in brown pants came to stand before me. From my downcast vision, I noticed a pair of white slippers that belonged to Eshan. Only he could do something like that…

"What? I just went away for a couple of days, and you won't even look at me. Do you not recognize this brother anymore? You should eat almonds." Arjun chuckled, but I could hear the seriousness in his voice.

I stayed silent. How could I face him? I could not.

However, my silence did not have any effect on him. Soon, his arms came around me, pulling me in a hug. Despite everything, the moment he rubbed my hair, I broke down in loud sobs. I cried bitterly in his arms for all the grievances I suffered for all the past month.